How do I compare EV tariffs with different day and night prices?
A cheap overnight rate can come with a higher daytime rate or standing charge. What should be included when deciding whether a tariff saves money for the whole household?
EVVerity explains
A closer look
Compare the same household
Use the same annual electricity quantities for both offers. Split charging and other household usage into the periods each tariff actually bills. Comparing only the night rate ignores the electricity still bought during the day.
Include fixed charges
In a hypothetical month, saving 12 on charging while adding 8 to daytime electricity and 6 to fixed charges makes the new tariff 2 more expensive overall. The EV portion is cheaper, but the household total is not.
Check eligibility and control
Confirm whether the offer requires a compatible car, charger, meter or managed-charging service. Read what happens outside the qualifying window and when a session is overridden. A price you cannot reliably access should not be the only input in the comparison.
Use a realistic charging share
Do not assign all vehicle energy to home charging if regular trips use public stations. Keep public charging at its own price and test a lower share of overnight charging. A saving that disappears after one changed assumption deserves closer inspection.
About this editorial content
Prepared with AI assistance for EVVerity. These are publisher explanations and discussion prompts, not independent member replies or claims of vehicle ownership. Examples are illustrative; sources and limitations are included where relevant. Read our editorial approach.
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